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More bad summer news: Toronto cancels city-run day camps

Families and kids received more bad news ahead of the long weekend Friday, as Toronto Mayor John Tory announced the city was cancelling its summer day camps and recreational events, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I know this decision will upset many families and it will cause hardship for those who rely on these camps and programs the most," he said. "But nothing is more important than the health of our children, we just cannot put them at risk."

The city is now developing plans for CampTO, an alternative program that if permitted to operate, would provide 5,300 camp spaces per week for kids aged six to 12.

The city says that makes up about 50 per cent of normal camp capacity, and a final decision would have to be made in roughly a month.

Tory said it would be dependent on provincial recommendations on all camps, as well as how the curve of new cases is going.

The news came after the city also announced it was extending the cancellation of major festivals and events through August 31st, hoping some events, like the Taste of the Danforth, could be rescheduled in the fall.

The decision is yet another hit on the city's finances, which is already suffering a $65 million loss each month.

City staff say the summer camp revenue is about $7 million each year, but that model would have to be changed if the alternative option is possible. ​